News

Mental Health Capacity Building Project

Tue, 05 Mar 2019 14:35:00

Mallee Track Health and Community Service (MTHCS) is well underway with a project to improve local access to mental health services.

MTHCS Chief Executive Officer Lois O’Callaghan said the project was being funded by the Murray Primary Health Network to develop a stepped model of care for the whole catchment.
Ms O’Callaghan said work was underway reviewing current service provision and pathways, analysing community needs and identifying gaps.
“We are also looking at staff capabilities and the models of care and workplace plan that we will need to better meet the mental health needs of our communities,” she explained.
MTHCS staff member, Grant Doxey, has been meeting with community members, health professionals and visiting services to gather information for a final report and recommendations.
Ms O’Callaghan said while MTHCS was currently not a funded provider of mental health services and did not provide generalist counselling or social work services to the catchment, there was a clear community need.
“Mental health services are currently provided by agencies who sit outside the catchment and this can mean a minimum drive of 250km for people to access face-to-face services.
“MTHCS is the only locally based provider of primary health care and community services within the catchment area.
Ms O’Callaghan said to overcome the persistent challenges to improving mental health in regional, rural and remote areas, MTHCS was investigating solutions and developing links with funded mental health providers to strengthen local referral pathways
“Initiatives that can achieve some of our aims include shared-care arrangements between MTHCS primary health care professionals, GPs, nurse practitioners and current mental health providers, as well as developing telehealth solutions.
“The project will also involve building the capacity of the existing primary health workforce through education and information around the stepped care approach, early detection of mental health issues, referral pathways and the use of telehealth.
Ms O’Callaghan said stepped care simply meant providing individualised care that could be escalated or de-escalated in intensity at any stage depending on the patient needs.
“The aim is to create smooth referral pathways where services outside the catchment are working together with our local health professionals to support local residents.
Ms O’Callaghan said Grant would be working with staff to provide support and advice about working with people who had mental health concerns.  However, his role does not include direct service delivery.
“This will also support us to test out current referral pathways and see which parts of the system are working well and which areas need greater support,” she added.
Community members with questions about the project can also contact Grant on 0438 950 202.